Mission

For over twenty years, NGFP has been identifying and developing the next generation of exceptional national security leaders to achieve the NNSA mission: Strengthening our nation through nuclear security. 

NGFP offers unmatched opportunities for graduate-level students to gain hands-on experience and explore careers across the NNSA enterprise. Fellows work alongside NNSA leaders, researchers, and other staff to deliver meaningful programmatic impacts, including:

• Securing nuclear materials, nuclear weapons, and radiological materials at potentially vulnerable sites worldwide.
• Managing and stewarding the U.S. nuclear deterrent, including Dismantlement and Life-Extension Programs.
• Countering nuclear terrorism and trafficking.
• Strengthening international nonproliferation and export control regimes.
• Developing nuclear safety policy and guidance for environmental cleanup and nuclear material maintenance.
• Ensuring capabilities are in place to respond to any NNSA or Department of Energy (DOE) facility emergency and responding to nuclear or radiological incidents internationally.
• Managing NNSA infrastructure, facilities, and operations.

The demand for our fellows is growing. NGFP class size has grown from three fellows in 1995 to more than fifty fellows in recent years. Our fellows' impact has expanded, as well. Fellows' expertise is distributed to include DOE, the Department of State, and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Following their year of service, our fellows are highly sought after by employers, with many going on to make important contributions to NNSA and other leading national security organizations, including national laboratories.

NGFP is a recognized resource for bringing top talent to our nation’s nuclear security critical missions and continues to evolve and build future leaders who can help create solutions to complex challenges facing the nation. NGFP can be your gateway into a career in nuclear security and nonproliferation. Apply today to join us in protecting our nation and the world!

About the NNSA

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within DOE responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear explosive testing and works to reduce the global danger from weapons of mass destruction. In addition, NNSA provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion, and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the United States and abroad. PNNL administers NGFP for NNSA. NNSA graduate fellows are not federal employees; they are contractually employed by PNNL and work on site at DOE/NNSA locations.

For more information about NNSA’s diverse missions and opportunities, visit: http://nnsa.energy.gov.